Therapeutic substance and acupressure system

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a system includes an acupressure device configured to apply pressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal. The system further includes a therapeutic substance coupled to the acupressure device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/590,637, filed Jan. 6, 2015, for “Therapeutic Substance andAcupressure System” by Jacqueline Cecilia Darna, and from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/964,502, filed Jan. 7, 2014, bothof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of therapeutic devicesand more specifically to a therapeutic substance and acupressure system.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, holistic and/or non-western health practices have beenused as alternatives to conventional health/medical methodology.Examples of such traditional holistic and/or non-western healthpractices include acupuncture, acupressure, and aromatherapy.Traditionally, such techniques are used individually to provide therapyto a patient and/or such techniques traditionally require a trainedpractitioner in order to be performed on a patient. This use of suchtraditional techniques, however, may be deficient.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a system includes an acupressure deviceconfigured to apply pressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal.The system further includes a therapeutic substance coupled to theacupressure device.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may provide one or more technicaladvantages. For example, the system includes an acupressure device and atherapeutic substance coupled to the acupressure device. In particularembodiments, by coupling the therapeutic substance to the acupressuredevice, a mammal using the system may receive therapy from the systemfrom both the acupressure device and the therapeutic substance.Furthermore, in particular embodiments, the therapeutic substance mayprovide a more rapid therapeutic benefit to the mammal while theacupressure device may provide a more delayed, but potentially longer,therapeutic benefit. Additionally, in particular embodiments, the systemmay allow the mammal to receive one or more therapeutic benefits nomatter where the mammal is located (such as in the car, in an airplane,at the beach, in the water, in the hospital, etc.) and/or no matter whatthe mammal is doing (such as working, exercising, swimming, attendingschool classes, etc.). Also, in particular embodiments, the system mayprovide a safe, accurate, convenient, and/or cost-effective manner ofproviding one or more benefits to a mammal via acupressure andaromatherapy.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include none, some, or all ofthe above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantagesmay be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures,descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example therapeutic substance and acupressuresystem;

FIGS. 2a-2h illustrate the location of example pressure points of amammal;

FIGS. 3a-3e illustrate examples of an acupressure device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of providing a therapeuticsubstance and acupressure system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by referringto FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like andcorresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example therapeutic substance and acupressuresystem. As illustrated, the therapeutic substance and acupressure system10 includes an acupressure device 14 and a therapeutic substance 18coupled to the acupressure device 14. The acupressure device 14 may beconfigured to apply pressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal(such as an adult human, a child human, a dog, a cat, a horse, or anyother mammal). The therapeutic substance 18 may be configured to provideone or more beneficial effects on the body and/or mind of the mammal. Inparticular embodiments, by coupling the therapeutic substance 18 to theacupressure device 14, a mammal using the system 10 may receive therapyfrom both the acupressure device 14 and the therapeutic substance 18.Furthermore, in particular embodiments, the therapeutic substance 18 mayprovide a more rapid therapeutic benefit to the mammal while theacupressure device 14 may provide a more delayed, but potentiallylonger, therapeutic benefit. Additionally, in particular embodiments,the system 10 may allow the mammal to receive one or more therapeuticbenefits no matter where the mammal is located (such as in the car, inan airplane, at the beach, in the water, in the hospital, etc.) and/orno matter what the mammal is doing (such as working, exercising,swimming, attending school classes, etc.). Also, in particularembodiments, the system 10 may provide a safe, accurate, convenient,and/or cost-effective manner of providing one or more benefits to amammal via acupressure and aromatherapy.

Traditionally, holistic and/or non-western health practices have beenused as alternatives to conventional health/medical methodology.Examples of such traditional holistic and/or non-western healthpractices include acupuncture, acupressure, and aromatherapy.Acupuncture consists of inserting various small, thin needles into aperson's skin at certain locations on the body. There are more than onethousand pre-mapped locations on the human body and the locations arechosen based on the ailment or condition a person is experiencing. Byinserting the needles, a person's chi, or life-force, can bemanipulated. Unfortunately, acupuncture is traditionally performed by atrained acupuncturist, thereby preventing a patient from receivingtreatment at any time they desire. Furthermore, many people may beafraid of needles, preventing them from ever considering acupuncture.

Acupressure (and other pressure-applied therapies) is similar toacupuncture, but it is non-invasive. Instead of inserting needles, aperson may have pressure applied (constantly or periodically) at certainlocations on their body. Due to the pressure at certain locations, theperson's body may elicit a biochemical response (such as creatinghormones) to create a medicinal therapeutic value (such as to decreasenausea, for example). In acupressure, one or more acupressure devicesmay be attached to a person's skin in order to provide the pressure.Such devices may allow greater control over the amount of pressure thatis applied, and may prevent the person from having to go to a trainedacupuncturist. Unfortunately, in acupressure, the response time fortherapy may be delayed, as the pressure may need to be applied for along period of time before relief occurs. Furthermore, traditionalacupressure devices tend to be either tedious or unattractive.

Aromatherapy involves the use of aromatic oils to elicit quick (such asinstantaneous) results to medically relevant problems. Traditionally,aromatherapy is effectuated by the addition of an aromatic material tomassage oil, bath oil, candle wax, pillow stuffing, a vaporizing device,or a diffusing device. These traditional methods of aromatherapy,however, are time consuming, cumbersome, messy, and/or require thepresence either of an attendant masseuse or of a piece of non-portableequipment.

Contrary to such typical deficiencies of acupuncture, acupressure, andaromatherapy, the therapeutic substance and acupressure system 10 ofFIG. 1 may provide one or more advantages. For example, as illustrated,the system 10 includes an acupressure device 14 and a therapeuticsubstance 18 coupled to the acupressure device 14. In particularembodiments, by coupling the therapeutic substance 18 to the acupressuredevice 14, a mammal using the system 10 may receive therapy from boththe acupressure device 14 and the therapeutic substance 18. Furthermore,in particular embodiments, the therapeutic substance 18 may provide amore rapid therapeutic benefit to the mammal while the acupressuredevice 14 may provide a more delayed, but potentially longer,therapeutic benefit. Additionally, in particular embodiments, the system10 may allow the mammal to receive one or more therapeutic benefits nomatter where the mammal is located (such as in the car, in an airplane,at the beach, in the water, in the hospital, etc.) and/or no matter whatthe mammal is doing (such as working, exercising, swimming, attendingschool classes, etc.). Also, in particular embodiments, the system 10may provide a safe, accurate, convenient, and/or cost-effective mannerof providing one or more benefits to a mammal via acupressure andaromatherapy.

As illustrated, FIG. 1 includes an acupressure device 14. Theacupressure device 14 may include any device configured to applypressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal (such as an adulthuman, a child human, a dog, a cat, a horse, or any other mammal). Theacupressure device 14 may have any form, type, or shape. For example,the acupressure device 14 may be a wrist band, an appendage band (suchas a band that is positioned on a mammal's arm, leg, or any otherappendage), a head band, a sticker (or patch) that may be applied to theskin (or fur or hair) of a mammal, a belt, a brace, a pressure-applyinggarment (such as a shirt, leggings, etc.), a clip (such as a hand clipplaced in the wedge between a person's fingers), a ring, any other form,type, or shape of a device, or any combination of the preceding.Examples of forms, types, or shapes of an acupressure device 14 arediscussed below in further detail with regard to FIGS. 3a-3e . Inparticular embodiments, the acupressure device 14 may be a commerciallyknown (or commercially available) device that may be altered, modified,and/or enhanced in accordance with one or more embodiments of thisdisclosure.

The acupressure device 14 may be configured in any manner to applypressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal. For example, theacupressure device 14 may include one or more raised elements that mayapply pressure to the one or more pressure points on the mammal. Theraised elements may be formed as a part of the material of theacupressure device 14, may be one or more inserts that may betemporarily attached to the acupressure device 14, or may be fixedly(and/or permanently) attached to the acupressure device 14. Furthermore,the raised elements may have any shape and/or size for applyingpressure. Examples of a raised element are discussed below in additionaldetail with regard to FIGS. 3a-3e . The acupressure device 14 may beconfigured apply pressure to any number of pressure points on themammal. For example, the acupressure device 14 may be configured toapply pressure to one pressure point, two pressure points, threepressure points, four pressure points, five pressure points, tenpressure points, or any other number of pressure points on the mammal.The acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure to anypressure point on a mammal (or any one or more pressure points on themammal). For example, the acupressure device 14 may be configured toapply pressure to one or more of ST1-ST30 (examples of which areillustrated in FIG. 2a ), PC1-PC9 (examples of which are illustrated inFIG. 2b ), TH1-TH23 (examples of which are illustrated in FIG. 2c ),GB1-GB44 (examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 2d and 2e ),LU1-LU11 (examples of which are illustrated in FIG. 2f ), P6 (an exampleof which is illustrated in FIG. 2g ), LI4 (an example of which isillustrated in FIG. 2h ), LS (an example of which is illustrated in FIG.2h ), H7 (an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 2h ), LI20 (anexample of which is illustrated in FIG. 2h ), B2 (an example of which isillustrated in FIG. 2h ), GB20 (an example of which is illustrated inFIG. 2h ), TW23 (an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 2h ), S6 (anexample of which is illustrated in FIG. 2h ), any of the pressure pointslisted in Table 1 (below), any other pressure points on any mammal, orany other documented acupressure points known for therapeutic value. Inparticular embodiments, the acupressure device 14 may be configured toapply pressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal by applyingpressure directly or indirectly to the skin (or fur or hair) of themammal. For example, the acupressure device 14 may be in direct contactwith the skin of a person, and may apply pressure directly to the skinin order to apply pressure to one or more pressure points of the person.As another example, the acupressure device 14 may be in indirect contactwith the skin of a person (e.g., the person may be wearing a garment,such as a shirt, suit, or wetsuit, that prevents the acupressure device14 from being in direct contact with the skin of the person), and mayapply pressure indirectly to the skin (e.g., through the garment) inorder to apply pressure to one or more pressure points of the person. Inparticular embodiments, the acupressure device 14 may also be configuredto apply pressure at a location substantially positioned at any of theabove-listed pressure points (or other points). A location substantiallypositioned at any of the above-listed pressure points (or other points)may refer to a location positioned at or within 2 inches of the pressurepoint (or other point). In particular embodiments, the acupressuredevice 14 may apply pressure at a location substantially positioned atany of the above-listed pressure points (such as P6, for example) dueto, for example, user error with the acupressure device. For example, auser (such as a person) may improperly place the acupressure device 14near the P6 pressure point, but not at the P6 pressure point.

The acupressure device 14 may be configured to provide any therapeuticrelief and/or health benefit. For example, the acupressure device 14 maybe configured to provide nausea relief (such as relief from pregnancyinduced nausea, morning sickness induced nausea, c-section inducednausea, post-operative nausea, exercise induced nausea, air sicknessinduced nausea, water sickness induced nausea, car sickness inducednausea, travel sickness induced nausea, headache induced nausea, vertigoinduced nausea, chemotherapy induced nausea, hangover related nausea, orany other nausea or nausea-like symptoms), stress relief and/orrelaxation, dizziness relief, cough, cold, and/or flu relief, sleepand/or insomnia relief, pain and/or burning relief, headache and/ormigraine relief, nasal congestion and/or allergy relief, constipationrelief, induction into labor for pregnancy, tendinitis relief, tensionrelief, spasm relief, fatigue relief, leg and/or foot cramp relief, calmgastrointestinal dysfunction, open nasal passages, promotebronchodilation, mask unpleasant smells, provide a calming effect onemotions, relieve acute and/or chronic neck pain, relieve anxiety,relieve stress, relieve carpal pain, provide any other acupressureeffect, or any combination of the preceding.

The acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure to one ormore specific pressure points on a mammal in order to provide one ormore specific types of therapeutic relief and/or health benefits. Forexample, in order to provide nausea relief, the acupressure device 14may be configured to apply pressure to one or more of the followingpressure points: P6, LI4, PC3, CV11, CV2, CV22, and ST36. As anotherexample, in order to provide stress relief and/or relaxation, theacupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure to one or moreof the following pressure points: LV3, 117, K27, K3, SP9, LI4, ST36,TW5, LI11, CV17, GV24, GB13, P6, B60, and GV16. As a further example, inorder to provide dizziness relief, the acupressure device 14 may beconfigured to apply pressure to one or more of the following pressurepoints: P6, LI2, GB35, ST36, GV26, P6, TW5, and K3. As another example,in order to provide cough, cold, and/or flu relief, the acupressuredevice 14 may be configured to apply pressure to one or more of thefollowing pressure points: L8, B36, B2, LI20, ST3, LI11, LI4, GB20,GV16, GV24.5, LI2, L8, B10, EX17, K27, B36, CV22, LI3, LI7, LI18, LI19,LI20, LI14, SP9, ST36, K3, B60, and TW5. As another example, in order toprovide sleep and/or insomnia relief, the acupressure device 14 may beconfigured to apply pressure to one or more of the following pressurepoints: H7, B6, B62, K6, GB20, GV16, and P6. As a further example, inorder to provide pain and/or burning relief, the acupressure device 14may be configured to apply pressure to one or more of the followingpressure points: LI2, LI3, LI4, LI5, LI7, LI8, LI10, LI11, LI12, LI13,LI14, LI15, LI16, LI17, LI18, GB20, and GV16. As another example, inorder to provide headache and/or migraine relief, the acupressure device14 may be configured to apply pressure to one or more of the followingpressure points: LI4, GB41, LV3, GB38, ST44, P6, LI5, LI7, B2, GB20,GV16, TW23, and K27. As a further example, in order to provide nasalcongestion relief and/or allergy relief, the acupressure device 14 maybe configured to apply pressure to one or more of the following pressurepoints: LI5, LI19, B3, LI4, F1, F2, F3, LI20, B36, GB20, and GV24.5. Asanother example, in order to provide constipation relief, theacupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure to one or moreof the following pressure points: LI11, CV6, CV8, CV12, CV16, and CV13.As a further example, in order to provide induction into labor forpregnancy, the acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressureto one or more of the following pressure points: LI4, BI31, BI32, GV1,CO4, SP9, SP6, GB21, LI3, CV4, and ST36. As another example, in order toprovide tendinitis relief, the acupressure device 14 may be configuredto apply pressure to one or more of the following pressure points: P6,P3, P7, and HT7. As a further example, in order to provide tensionrelief, the acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure toone or more of the following pressure points: GV16, BB20, TW16, B10,GB21, K1, HT7, and P6. As another example, in order to provide spasmrelief, the acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure toone or more of the following pressure points: K27, LI1, St13, St1, St3,CV22, GV26, St16, St2, B1, LI4, GB20, GV16, GV24.5, St36, K3, B60, GB21,CV6, GB34, B57, LV3, LI11, B10, TW16, B2, TW15, LI14, B40, B23, B50,GB40, and GB41. As a further example, in order to provide fatiguerelief, the acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure toone or more of the following pressure points: LU1, CV6, LU2, CV4, andCV3. As another example, in order to provide leg and/or foot cramprelief, the acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressure toone or more of the following pressure points: LV3, GB41, SP6, ST36, K1,SP12, B40, and B52.

The acupressure device 14 may be formed (or otherwise be made) from anymaterial. For example, the acupressure device 14 may be rubber, latex,latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer, a ceramic, glass, metal, anaroma-permeable material, any other material, or any combination of thepreceding. In particular embodiments, the acupressure device 14 may beany material capable of absorbing, binding, or retaining (in somemanner) an amount of therapeutic substance 18. In particularembodiments, the acupressure device 14 may be formed from two or more ofthe above-listed materials. In particular embodiments, the acupressuredevice may be a thermoplastic vulcanite injected moldable latex-freerubber band. The acupressure device 14 may have any size (e.g., length,width, thickness, etc.), and the size may vary based on the mammal forwhich the acupressure device 14 is designed. For example, the size ofthe acupressure device 14 may be larger for an adult human than for achild human. As another example, the size of the acupressure device 14may be larger for a horse than for a dog.

The acupressure device 14 may have an adjustable size. For example, theacupressure device 14 may have a length that may be adjusted by thehuman. In such an example, the human may adjust the length to besmaller, or to be bigger. The size of the acupressure device 14 may beadjusted in any manner. For example, the acupressure device 14 may havea first end that is separated from a second end. In such an example, thefirst end may have two or more holes that extend along the first end atdifferent locations, and the second end may have a buckle or pegconfigured to fit into one of the holes. As such, the user may adjustthe length of the acupressure device 14 by selecting a particular holeto fit the buckle or peg into. As other examples, the size of theacupressure device 14 may be adjusted using a watch-like buckle or snap,velcro, a sliding mechanism, or any other adjustment mechanism. Inparticular embodiments, adjusting the size of the acupressure device 14may increase or decrease the amount of pressure applied to one or morepressure points by the acupressure device 14. The acupressure device 14may alternatively have a non-adjustable size. For example, theacupressure device 14 may be a single size band that is formed as acontinuous loop. In such an example, the single size band may have abigger single size for bigger mammals and/or a smaller single size forsmaller mammals. In particular embodiments, the single size acupressuredevice 14 may be flexible so as to expand (at least partially) to fitvarious sized mammals.

The acupressure device 14 may be configured to be wearable by a mammal.For example, the acupressure device 14 may be worn on the mammal's head,arm, leg, wrist, appendage, skin, fur, hair, any other location on themammal's body that may allow the acupressure device 14 to providepressure to one or more pressure points, or any combination of thepreceding. The acupressure device 14 may be configured to be worn at anylocation and/or while the mammal is performing any activity. Forexample, the acupressure device 14 may be sized and/or shaped to be wornin the car, in an airplane, at the beach, in the water, in the hospital,any other location, or any combination of the preceding. Furthermore,the acupressure device 14 may be lightweight and/or portable, allowingthe acupressure device 14 to be easily transported between locations(even while be worn by the mammal). As another example, the acupressuredevice 14 may be sized and/or shaped to be worn while working,exercising, running, swimming, receiving medical treatment, attendingschool classes, performing any other activity, or any combination of thepreceding. In particular embodiments, the acupressure device 14 may bewaterproof, so as to allow the acupressure device 14 to be worn in thewater.

As is further illustrated, the therapeutic substance and acupressuresystem 10 further includes a therapeutic substance 18 coupled to theacupressure device 14. The therapeutic substance 18 may be configured toprovide one or more beneficial effects on the body and/or mind of themammal. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may be configured toprovide nausea relief, stress relief and/or relaxation, dizzinessrelief, cough, cold, and/or flu relief, sleep and/or insomnia relief,pain and/or burning relief, headache and/or migraine relief, nasalcongestion and/or allergy relief, constipation relief, induction intolabor for pregnancy, tendinitis relief, tension relief, spasm relief,fatigue relief, leg and/or foot cramp relief, calm gastrointestinaldysfunction, open nasal passages, promote bronchodilation, maskunpleasant smells, provide a calming effect on emotions, relieve acuteand/or chronic neck pain, relieve anxiety, relieve stress, relievecarpal pain, operate as an antiseptic, provide skin revitalization,provide general tonic qualities, provide a soothing effect on a mammal,provide any other aromatherapy effect, or any combination of thepreceding.

The therapeutic substance 18 may be any substance configured to provideone or more beneficial effects on the body and/or mind of the mammal.For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an aromatic substancethat provides one or more beneficial effects on the body and/or mind.Examples of such an aromatic substance may include oils, essential oils,aromatic compounds, any scented substance (such as a peppermint scentedsubstance, or a substance having any of the scents listed below), anyother aromatic substance, or any combination of the preceding. Asanother example, the therapeutic substance 18 may be a substance fortransdermal application. Examples of such a substance for transdermalapplication may include chemical compounds, essential oils, medicines,oils, any other transdermal substance, or any combination of thepreceding. The therapeutic substance 18 may be delivered to the mammalin any suitable manner. As an example, the aroma (or scent) of thetherapeutic substance 18 may be received by the mammal throughinhalation. As a further example, the aroma of the therapeutic substance18 may be received by the mammal's olfactory receptors. As anotherexample, the therapeutic substance 18 may be transdermally received bythe mammal (e.g., received through the skin of the mammal). Theessential oils when contacting the skin will permeate thru the pores ofthe epidermis and reach the blood stream for therapeutic value.

As is discussed above, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an essentialoil. An essential oil may refer to a concentrated hydrophilic liquidcontaining volatile compound derived from plants. The essential oil maycontain the characteristic fragrance (or aroma or scent) of the plantfrom which it is derived. The essential oil may be derived (or have thescent of) any portion of a plant, such as a whole flower, a petal, bark,leaves, twigs, a whole fruit, fruit rind, seeds, roots, sap, resins, anyother portion of the plant, or any combination of the preceding.Therapeutic substance 18 may include an essential oil derived from (orhaving the scent of) one or more of the following plants: agar, ajwain,aloe vera, almond kernel, angelica, anise, apricot kernel, asafoetida,avocado, balsam of Peru, basil, bay, benzoin, bergamot, birch, blackpepper, boil de rose, borage, buchu, cajeput, calamus, camphor, cannabissativa, caraway, cardamom, carrot, cedar, chamomile, camomilemataricaria, chamomile roman, cinnamon, citronella, clary-sage, clove,coriander, corn, costmary, cranberry, cubeb, cumin, cypress, cypriol,curry, davana, dill, elecampane, eucalyptus, eucalyptus lemon,eucalyptus peppermint, eucalyptus radiata, evening primrose, fennel,fenugreek, frankincense, galangal, galbanum, geranium, ginger,goldenrod, grapefruit, grapeseed, hazelnut, hemp, henna, helichrysum,hickory, horseradish, hops, hyssop, Idaho tansy, immortelle, inulaodorata, jasmine, jojoba, juniper, Laurus nobilis, lavender, ledum,lemon, lemon grass, lime, litsea cubeba, linaloe, mace, mandarin orange,marjoram, melaleuca, melissa, menthe arvensis, mountain savory, mugwort,mustard, myrrh, myrtle, neem, neroli, niaouli, nutmeg, olive, orange,oregano, orris, palma rose, palo santo, parsley, patchouli, peachkernel, peanut, pennyroyal, peppermint (such as Indian peppermint),perilla, petitgrain, pimento, pine, ravensara, red cedar, red thyme,roman chamomile, rose, rosehip, rose bulger, rose maroc, rosemary,rosewood, sage, sandalwood, sassafras, savory, schisandra, sesame, soya,spearmint, spikenard, spruce, star anise, sunflower, sweet almond,tagetes, tangerine, tarragon, tea tree, thyme, thyme red, tsuga,turmeric, valerian, vetiver, violet, western red cedar, wheat germ,wintergreen, yarrow, ylang-ylang, zedoary, any other plant listed belowin Table 1, or any other plant that may provide one or more beneficialeffects on the body and/or mind of the mammal.

The therapeutic substance 18 coupled to the acupressure device 14 may beselected to provide one or more specific health benefits. For example,in order to provide nausea relief, the therapeutic substance 18 may bederived from (or have the scent of) one or more of the following plants:peppermint, cannabis, hemp, ginger, di-gize, fennel, patchouli, nutmeg,wintergreen, spearmint, and tarragon. As another example, in order toprovide pain relief, the therapeutic substance 18 may be derived from(or have the scent of) one or more of the following plants: marjoram,peppermint, balsam fir, basil, birch, cypress, ginger, lavender,lemongrass, rosemary, silver fir, spanish sage, vetiver, white fir,wintergreen, copaiba, roman chamomile, eucalyptus, oregano, clove,thyme, and helichrysum. As a further example, in order to act as avasodilating agent, the therapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (orhave the scent of) one or more of the following plants: lemon grass,carrot seed, canadian fleabane, lavender, wintergreen, and birch bark.As another example, in order to promote sleep, the therapeutic substance18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) one or more of thefollowing plants: lavender, frankincense, ylang ylang, vetiver, romanchamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, marjoram, and valerian. As a furtherexample, in order to relieve stress and/or promote relaxation, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) oneor more of the following plants: cedar wood, lemon, frankincense,lavender, bergamot, chamomile geunan, chamomile roman, geranium,jasmine, marjoram, orange blossom, rose, sandalwood, valerian, and ylangylang. As another example, in order to provide cough, cold, and/or flurelief, the therapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (or have thescent of) one or more of the following plants: thieves, myrtle, pine,eucalyptus, Idaho balsam fir, raven, tea tree, ravansara, and clove. Asa further example, in order to provide dizziness relief, the therapeuticsubstance 18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) one or more ofthe following plants: peppermint, frankincense, cedar wood, ginger, andpatchouli. As another example, in order to provide pain relief, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) oneor more of the following plants: wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender,frankincense, and lemon. As a further example, in order to provideheadache and/or migraine relief, the therapeutic substance 18 may bederived from (or have the scent of) one or more of the following plants:peppermint, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, helichrysum, spearmint, androman chamomile. As another example, in order to provide constipationrelief, the therapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (or have thescent of) one or more of the following plants: peppermint, di-gize,ginger, orange, rosemary, basil, lemon, fennel, rose, black pepper, andmajoram. As a further example, in order to provide nasal congestionrelief and/or allergies relief, the therapeutic substance 18 may bederived from (or have the scent of) one or more of the following plants:wintergreen, lavender, chamomile, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint,benzoin, clove, marjoram, tea tree, and thyme. As another example, inorder to induce labor in pregnancy, the therapeutic substance 18 may bederived from (or have the scent of) one or more of the following plants:clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender, peppermint, rose, ylang ylang,myrrh, frankincense, and helichrysum. As a further example, in order tosuppress appetite, the therapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (orhave the scent of) one or more of the following plants: nutmeg, ginger,orange, spearmint, bergamot, sandalwood, grapefruit, and ocotea. Asanother example, in order to provide menstrual cramp relief, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) oneor more of the following plants: dragon time, lavender, clary sage,peppermint, eucalyptus, rose, geranium, ylang ylang, and salvia. Asanother example, in order to reduce tendinitis, the therapeuticsubstance 18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) one or more ofthe following plants: lavender and marjoram. As a further example, inorder to reduce tension, the therapeutic substance 18 may be derivedfrom (or have the scent of) one or more of the following plants:marjoram, helichrysum, lavender, peppermint, and roman chamomiles. Asanother example, in order to reduce spasms, the therapeutic substance 18may be derived from (or have the scent of) one or more of the followingplants: basil, marjoram, roman chamomile, clary sage, cypress, lavender,and peppermint. As a further example, in order to reduce fatigue, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be derived from (or have the scent of) oneor more of the following plants: cypress, marjoram, peppermint, whitefir, eucalyptus, grapefruit, rosemary, and thyme. As another example, inorder to reduce leg and/or foot cramps, the therapeutic substance 18 maybe derived from (or have the scent of) one or more of the followingplants: marjoram, lemongrass, peppermint, basil, clary sage, cypress,grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, and vetiver.

The therapeutic substance 18 coupled to the acupressure device 14 may beselected to provide specific health benefits consistent (or identical)with the specific health benefits provided by the acupressure device 14.For example, if the acupressure device 14 is configured to applypressure to one or more pressure points to provide, for example, nausearelief, the therapeutic substance 18 coupled to the acupressure device14 may be selected to also provide, for example, nausea relief. Examplesof pressure points and therapeutic substances 18 that may provideconsistent (or identical) specific health benefits are listed below inTable 1. The acupressure device 14 may be configured to apply pressureto any one or more of the below listed pressure points for a specifichealth benefit (such as nausea relief, for example), and the therapeuticsubstance 18 coupled to acupressure device may be selected from any oneor more of the below-listed therapeutic substances for the consistent(or identical) specific health benefit (such as nausea relief, forexample):

Health Benefit Pressure Point(s) Therapeutic substance(s) 18 NauseaRelief P6 Peppermint LI4 Cannabis PC3 Hemp CV11 Ginger CV2 di-gize CV22fennel ST36 patchouli nutmeg wintergreen spearmint tarragon StressRelief and/or LV3 Cedar wood Relaxation H7 Lemon K27 Frankincense K3Lavender SP9 Bergamot LI4 Chamomile german ST36 Chamomile roman TW5Geranium LI11 Jasmine CV17 Marjoram GV24 Orange blossom GB13 Rose P6Sandalwood B60 Valerian GV16 Ylang ylang Dizziness Relief P6 PeppermintLI2 Frankincense GB35 Cedar wood ST36 Ginger GV26 patchouli P6 TW5 K3Cough, Cold, and/or L8 Thieves Flu Relief B36 Myrtle B2 Pine LI20Eucalyptus ST3 Idaho balsam fir LI11 Raven LI4 Tea tree GB20 RavansaraGV16 Clove GV24.5 LI2 L8 B10 EX17 K27 B36 CV22 LI3 LI7 LI18 LI19 LI20LI14 SP9 ST36 K3 B60 TW5 Sleep and/or Insomnia H7 Lavender Relief B6Frankincense B62 Ylang ylang K6 Vetiver GB20 Roman chamomile GV16Bergamot P6 Sandalwood Marjoram valerian Pain and/or Burning LI2Marjoram Relief LI3 Peppermint LI4 Balsam fir LI5 Basil LI7 Birch LI8Cypress LI10 Ginger LI11 Lavender LI12 Lemongrass LI13 Rosemary LI14Silver fir LI15 Spanish sage LI16 Vetiver LI17 White fir LI18Wintergreen GB20 Copaiba GV16 Roman chamomile Eucalyptus Oregano CloveThyme Helichrysum lemon Headache and/or LI4 peppermint Migraine ReliefGB41 lavender LV3 rosemary GB38 eucalyptus ST44 helichrysum P6 spearmintLI5 roman chamomile LI7 B2 GB20 GV16 K27 TW23 Nasal Congestion LI5Wintergreen and/or Allergy Relief LI19 Lavender B3 Chamomile LI4 LemonF1 Eucalyptus F2 Benzoin F3 Clove LI20 Marjoram B36 Tea tree GB20 ThymeGV24.5 Constipation Relief LI11 Peppermint CV6 di-gize CV8 ginger CV12orange CV16 rosemary CV13 basil lemon fennel rose black pepper majoramInduction into Labor LI4 Clary sage for pregnancy BI31 Geranium BI32Jasmine GV1 Lavender CO4 Peppermint SP9 Rose SP6 Ylang ylang GB21 MyrrhLI3 Frankincense CV4 helichrysum ST36 Tendinitis Relief P6 lavender P3marjoram P7 HT7 Tension Relief GV16 Marjoram BB20 Helichrysum TW16Lavender B10 Peppermint GB21 Roman chamomile K1 HT7 P6 Spasm Relief K27Basil LI1 Marjoram St13 Roman chamomile St1 Clary St3 Sage CV22 CypressGV26 Lavender ST16 peppermint ST2 B1 LI4 GB20 GV16 GV24.5 ST36 K3 B60GB21 CV6 GB34 B57 LV3 LI11 B10 TW16 B2 TW15 LI14 B40 B23 B50 GB40 GB41Fatigue Relief LU1 Cypress CV6 Marjoram LU2 Peppermint CV4 White fir CV3Eucalyptus Grapefruit Rosemary thyme Leg and/or Foot LV3 Marjoram cramprelief GB41 Lemongrass SP6 Peppermint SP36 Basil K1 Clary sage SP12Cypress B40 Grapefruit B52 Lavender Rosemary vitiver

In particular embodiments, when both the acupressure device and thetherapeutic substance 18 provide consistent (or identical) benefits, thetherapeutic substance 18 may provide a more rapid benefit to the mammalwhile the acupressure device 14 may provide a more delayed, butpotentially longer, benefit.

The therapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to the acupressure device 14in any manner. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may be infusedinto the acupressure device 14, incorporated into the acupressure device14 during the manufacturing process, topically applied to theacupressure device 14, provided as a coating on the acupressure device14, sprayed onto the acupressure device 14, positioned within acontainer in the acupressure device 14, coupled to the acupressuredevice 14 in any other manner, or any combination of the preceding.Coupling the therapeutic substance 18 to the acupressure device 14 mayrefer to coupling the therapeutic substance 18 to all or a portion ofthe acupressure device 14. As is discussed above, the therapeuticsubstance 18 may be infused into the acupressure device 14. Thetherapeutic substance 18 may be infused into the acupressure device 14in any manner. As one example, the therapeutic substance 18 in liquidform may be mixed together with the material of the acupressure device14 (such as thermoplastic vulcanite (TPV)) in liquid form, the mixturemay be poured into a mold of the acupressure device 14, and the mixturemay be cooled to form the therapeutic substance and acupressure system10. As is also discussed above, the acupressure device 14 may include acontainer that includes the therapeutic substance 18. The container maybe any type of container, such as a capsule, a blister, a pocket, avessel, or any other type of container. The container may be atime-release container, allowing the therapeutic substance 18 to bereleased gradually. The container may be configured to open, allowingthe mammal (such as human) to break (or otherwise open the seal of thecontainer) in order to release the therapeutic substance 18 (such as allor a portion of the therapeutic substance 18).

Any amount of the therapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to theacupressure device 14. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 maymake up 0.01% of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14 (wherethe weight basis may refer to the entire weight of the acupressuredevice 14 with the therapeutic substance 18), 0.05% of the weight basisof the acupressure device 14, 0.1% of the weight basis of theacupressure device 14, 0.5% of the weight basis of the acupressuredevice 14, 1% of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 3% ofthe weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 5% of the weight basis ofthe acupressure device 14, 10% of the weight basis of the acupressuredevice 14, 15% of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 20% ofthe weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 25% of the weight basisof the acupressure device 14, 30% of the weight basis of the acupressuredevice 14, 40% of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14, or anyother amount of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14. Asanother example, the therapeutic substance 18 may make up the followingranges of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14: 0.01%-40% ofthe weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 0.01%-30% of the weightbasis of the acupressure device 14, 0.01%-20% of the weight basis of theacupressure device 14, 0.01%-15% of the weight basis of the acupressuredevice 14, 0.01%-10% of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14,0.01%-5% of the weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 0.5%-20% ofthe weight basis of the acupressure device 14, 1.0%-20% of the weightbasis of the acupressure device 14, 5%-20% of the weight basis of theacupressure device 14, or any other range of the weight basis of theacupressure device 14. As a further example, the therapeutic substance18 may be an amount that is dried up (or empty, or evaporated, or thescent is otherwise no longer emitted from the acupressure device 14)when exposed to air for 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours,72 hours, 96 hours, 120 hours, 144 hours, or any amount of time lessthan 144 hours. In particular embodiments, when the therapeuticsubstance 18 is dried up (or empty, or evaporated, or the scent isotherwise no longer emitted from the acupressure device 14), anotheramount of therapeutic substance 18 may be re-coupled to the acupressuredevice 14 (such as re-applied by the user). In particular embodiments,when the therapeutic substance 18 is dried up (or empty, or evaporated,or the scent is otherwise no longer emitted from the acupressure device14), the acupressure device 14 may be disposed of and replaced with anew acupressure device 14 having a new amount of therapeutic substance18 coupled to it.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system 10 withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For example, any number oftherapeutic substances 18 (such as one, two, three, four, or five ormore) may be coupled to acupressure device 14. As another example, anynumber of acupressure devices 14 (such as one, two, three, four, or fiveor more) may be utilized by a mammal at the same time, and to provideany number of health benefits. As a further example, the acupressuredevice(s) 14 and the therapeutic substance(s) 18 used by a mammal at thesame time may provide any number of benefits to the mammal, such as one,two, three, four, or five or more benefits. In such an example, themammal may utilize a single acupressure device 14 (or more than oneacupressure device 14) with one or more therapeutic substances 18 toprovide multiple benefits simultaneously, such as nausea relief andstress relief, for example. As another example, one or more additionalsubstances may be coupled or added to acupressure device 14 and/or thetherapeutic substance 18 to provide additional benefits. In such anexample, one or more of the following additional substances may becoupled or added to acupressure device 14 and/or the therapeuticsubstance 18: an anti-irritant, a cleansing agent, an antiseptic, acolorant, a pigment, a filler, an antioxidant, a moisturizer, a skinreconditioning agent, a vitamin, a nutritional supplement, an anestheticagent, a cosmetic agent, any other therapeutic agent, or any combinationof the preceding.

FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate examples of an acupressure device of FIG. 1. Asillustrated, the acupressure device 14 may be a wrist band (or appendageband) that may be worn by a mammal (such as an adult human, a childhuman, a dog, a cat, a horse, or any other mammal) on the mammal's wrist(or other appendage, such as a leg of a dog).

According to the illustrated embodiment, the acupressure device 14includes a band 30. The band 30 is configured to encircle a wrist of themammal (such as an adult human) or an appendage of the mammal (such as aleg of a dog). As illustrated, the band 30 is a continuous loop. In suchan embodiment, the band 30 may be a single size band that may beflexible so as to expand (at least partially) to fit various sizedmammals. In particular embodiments, the band 30 may be anadjustable-sized band 30. For example, the band 30 may have a first endthat is separated from a second end. In such an example, the first endmay have two or more holes that extend along the first end at differentlocations, and the second end may have a buckle or peg configured to fitinto one of the holes. As such, the user may adjust the length of theband 30 by selecting a particular hole to fit the buckle or peg into. Inparticular embodiments, adjusting the size of the band 30 may increaseor decrease the amount of pressure applied to one or more pressurepoints by the acupressure device 14. The band 30 may be formed (orotherwise be made) from any material. For example, the band 30 may berubber, latex, latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer (such as asynthetic polymer, a semi-synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer), aceramic, glass, metal, an aroma-permeable material, any other material,or any combination of the preceding. In particular embodiments, the band30 may be any material capable of absorbing, binding, or retaining (insome manner) an amount of therapeutic substance 18. In particularembodiments, the band 30 may be formed from two or more of theabove-listed materials. In particular embodiments, the band 30 may be athermoplastic vulcanite injected moldable latex-free rubber band. Theband 30 may have any size (e.g., length, width, thickness, etc.), andthe size may vary based on the mammal for which the band 30 is designed.For example, the size of the band 30 may be larger for an adult humanthan for a child human. As another example, the size of the band 30 maybe larger for a horse than for a dog. Example sizes of band 30 arelisted below.

The band 30 includes an exterior portion 34 and an interior portion 38.The exterior portion 34 is configured to face away from the wrist (orappendage) of the mammal when the band 30 is worn by the mammal. Theexterior portion 34 of the band 30 may include one or more graphicsand/or one or more decorations. The interior portion 38 is configured toface towards the wrist (or appendage) of the mammal when the band 30 isworn by the mammal.

The acupressure device 14 further includes one or more raised elements42 that may be configured to apply pressure to the one or more pressurepoints on the mammal (or at a location substantially positioned at oneor more pressure points on the mammal). A raised element 42 may beconfigured to apply pressure to any one or more pressure pointsdescribed above with regard to FIG. 1. For example, a raised element 42may be configured to apply pressure to the P6 pressure point of an adulthuman. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is positioned on theinterior portion 38 of the band 30. As such, when the acupressure device14 is worn by the mammal, the raised element 42 may apply pressure to apressure point on the mammal, such as, for example, the P6 pressurepoint. In such an example, the pressure applied by the raised element 42may assert a frequency (such as a 0.5 Hz frequency) to, for example, themedian nerve, thereby generating anti-nausea hormones to provide nausearelief, for example. In particular embodiments, the raised element 42may be configured to vibrate and/or resonate. For example, the raisedelement 42 may include a vibration and/or resonation source thatvibrates and/or resonates when an electrical current is provided to thesource. The raised element 42 may vibrate and/or resonate at anyfrequency.

The acupressure device 14 may include any number of raised elements 42,such as one, two, three, four, five, or any other number of raisedelements 42. A raised element 42 may be formed as a part of the materialof the band 30, may be one or more inserts that may be temporarilyattached to the band 30, or may be fixedly (and/or permanently) attachedto the band 30. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is formed as apart of the material of the band 30. The raised element 42 may be formed(or otherwise be made) from any material. For example, the raisedelement 42 may be rubber, latex, latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer(such as a synthetic polymer, a semi-synthetic polymer, or a naturalpolymer), a ceramic, glass, metal, an aroma-permeable material, anyother material, or any combination of the preceding. The raised element42 may be formed from the same material as the band 30, or from adifferent material. The raised element 42 may have any shape forapplying pressure to a pressure point. For example, the raised element42 may be rectangular, pin-shaped, shaped-like a ridge in the band 30,oval shaped, spherical shape, semi-spherical shape, any other shape, orany combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the raised element 42is oval shaped (or egg shaped). The raised element 42 may have any size.Example sizes of the raised element 42 are listed below.

As is discussed above with regard to FIG. 1, one or more therapeuticsubstances 18 (not shown in FIGS. 3a-3b ) may be coupled to acupressuredevice 14. The therapeutic substances 18 may include any one or moretherapeutic substances 18 discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As oneexample, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an essential oil derivedfrom a peppermint plant (e.g., a peppermint essential oil). Thetherapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to the acupressure device 14 inany manner discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As one example, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be infused into the acupressure device 14.The therapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to all or a portion of theacupressure device 14. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may becoupled to all (or a portion) of the exterior portion 34 of the band 30,all (or a portion) of the interior portion 38 of the band, all or aportion of the raised element 42, or any combination of the preceding.

As is discussed above, the band 30 and/or the raised element 42 of theacupressure device 14 may have any size. An example of such sizes mayinclude the following illustrated in FIG. 3 a:

A=25.00 mm

B=radius of 35.00 mm

C=7.50 mm

D=15.00 mm

E=0.50 mm

F=radius of 0.50 mm

G=radius of 5.50 mm

H=7.50 mm

I=0 of 13.20 mm

J=9.00 mm

K=0 of 54.44 mm

L=radius of 25.00 mm

Another example of such sizes may include the following illustrated inFIG. 3 b:

AA=0.394 inches

BB=0.354 inches

CC=0.12 inches

DD=radius of 0.16 inches

EE=0.572 inches

FF=radius of 0.787 inches

GG=Ø of 1.752 inches

HH=Ø of 0.394 inches

II=0.236 inches

JJ=radius of 0.020 inches

KK=0.472 inches

Although the band 30 and the raised element 42 have been illustrated asincluding particular sizes, the band 30 and/or raised element 42 (or anyother acupressure device 14) may have any other size.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the acupressuredevice 14 without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, although the acupressure device 14 is illustrated as a wristband (or an appendage band), the acupressure device 14 may be any otheracupressure device, as is discussed above with regard to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3c illustrates another example of an acupressure device of FIG. 1.As illustrated, the acupressure device 14 may be a hand clip that may beworn by a mammal (such as an adult human, a child human, a monkey, orany other mammal) on the mammal's hand.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the acupressure device 14includes a clip portion 46. The clip portion 46 is configured to beplaced in the wedge between a person's fingers. The clip portion 46 maybe formed (or otherwise be made) from any material. For example, theclip portion 46 may be rubber, latex, latex-free rubber, plastic, apolymer (such as a synthetic polymer, a semi-synthetic polymer, or anatural polymer), a ceramic, glass, metal, an aroma-permeable material,any other material, or any combination of the preceding. In particularembodiments, the clip portion 46 may be any material capable ofabsorbing, binding, or retaining (in some manner) an amount oftherapeutic substance 18. In particular embodiments, the clip portion 46may be formed from two or more of the above-listed materials. Inparticular embodiments, the clip portion 46 may be a thermoplasticvulcanite injected moldable latex-free rubber clip. The clip portion 46may have any size (e.g., length, width, thickness, etc.), and the sizemay vary based on the mammal for which the clip portion 46 is designed.For example, the size of the clip portion 46 may be larger for an adulthuman than for a child human. Example sizes of clip portion 46 arelisted below.

The clip portion 46 includes an exterior portion 50 and an interiorportion 54. The exterior portion 50 is configured to face away from thehand of the mammal when the clip portion 46 is worn by the mammal. Theexterior portion 50 of the clip portion 46 may include one or moregraphics and/or one or more decorations. The interior portion 54 isconfigured to face towards the hand of the mammal when the clip portion46 is worn by the mammal.

The acupressure device 14 further includes one or more raised elements42 that may be configured to apply pressure to the one or more pressurepoints on the mammal (or at a location substantially positioned at oneor more pressure points on the mammal). A raised element 42 may beconfigured to apply pressure to any one or more pressure pointsdescribed above with regard to FIG. 1. For example, a raised element 42may be configured to apply pressure to the LI4 pressure point of anadult human. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is positioned on theinterior portion 54 of the clip portion 46. As such, when theacupressure device 14 is worn by the mammal, the raised element 42 mayapply pressure to a pressure point on the mammal, such as, for example,the LI4 pressure point. In particular embodiments, the raised element 42may be configured to vibrate and/or resonate. For example, the raisedelement 42 may include a vibration and/or resonation source thatvibrates and/or resonates when an electrical current is provided to thesource. The raised element 42 may vibrate and/or resonate at anyfrequency.

The acupressure device 14 may include any number of raised elements 42,such as one, two, three, four, five, or any other number of raisedelements 42. A raised element 42 may be formed as a part of the materialof the clip portion 46, may be one or more inserts that may betemporarily attached to the clip portion 46, or may be fixedly (and/orpermanently) attached to the clip portion 46. As illustrated, the raisedelements 42 are formed as a part of the material of the clip portion 46.The raised element 42 may be formed (or otherwise be made) from anymaterial. For example, the raised element 42 may be rubber, latex,latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer (such as a synthetic polymer, asemi-synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer), a ceramic, glass, metal,an aroma-permeable material, any other material, or any combination ofthe preceding. The raised element 42 may be formed from the samematerial as the clip portion 46, or from a different material. Theraised element 42 may have any shape for applying pressure to a pressurepoint. For example, the raised element 42 may be rectangular,pin-shaped, shaped-like a ridge in the clip portion 46, oval shaped,spherical shape, semi-spherical shape, any other shape, or anycombination of the preceding. As illustrated, the raised element 42 isoval shaped (or egg shaped). The raised element 42 may have any size.Example sizes of the raised element 42 are listed below.

As is discussed above with regard to FIG. 1, one or more therapeuticsubstances 18 (not shown in FIG. 3c ) may be coupled to acupressuredevice 14. The therapeutic substances 18 may include any one or moretherapeutic substances 18 discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As oneexample, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an essential oil derivedfrom a peppermint plant (e.g., a peppermint essential oil). Thetherapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to the acupressure device 14 inany manner discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As one example, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be infused into the acupressure device 14.The therapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to all or a portion of theacupressure device 14. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may becoupled to all (or a portion) of the exterior portion 50 of the clipportion 46, all (or a portion) of the interior portion 54 of the clipportion 46, all or a portion of the raised element 42, or anycombination of the preceding.

As is discussed above, the clip portion 46 and/or the raised element 42of the acupressure device 14 may have any size. An example of such sizesmay include the following illustrated in FIG. 3 c:

AAA=radius of 30.00 mm

BBB=radius of 25.00 mm

CCC=radius 4.49 mm

DDD=13.00 mm

EEE=7.95 mm

FFF=39.60 mm

GGG=101.98 mm

HHH=14.00 mm

III=radius of 5.75 mm

Although the clip portion 46 and the raised element 42 have beenillustrated as including particular sizes, the clip portion 46 and/orraised element 42 (or any other acupressure device 14) may have anyother size.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the acupressuredevice 14 without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, although the acupressure device 14 is illustrated as a handclip, the acupressure device 14 may be any other acupressure device, asis discussed above with regard to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3d illustrates another example of an acupressure device of FIG. 1.As illustrated, the acupressure device 14 may be a sticker (or patch)that may be worn by a mammal (such as an adult human, a child human, adog, a cat, a horse, or any other mammal) on any area of the mammal'sbody.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the acupressure device 14includes an adhesive portion 58. The adhesive portion 58 is configuredto be placed on any area of the mammal's body (such as the mammal's backor forehead), and further configured to adhere to the mammal's body. Theadhesive portion 58 may be formed (or otherwise be made) from anymaterial. For example, the adhesive portion 58 may be rubber, latex,latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer (such as a synthetic polymer, asemi-synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer), a ceramic, glass, metal,an aroma-permeable material, any other material, or any combination ofthe preceding. In particular embodiments, the adhesive portion 58 may beany material capable of absorbing, binding, or retaining (in somemanner) an amount of therapeutic substance 18. In particularembodiments, the adhesive portion 58 may be formed from two or more ofthe above-listed materials. In particular embodiments, the adhesiveportion 58 may be a thermoplastic vulcanite injected moldable latex-freerubber portion. The adhesive portion 58 may have any size (e.g., length,width, thickness, etc.), and the size may vary based on the mammal forwhich the adhesive portion 58 is designed. For example, the size of theadhesive portion 58 may be larger for an adult human than for a childhuman. Example sizes of adhesive portion 58 are listed below.

The adhesive portion 58 includes an exterior portion 62 and an interiorportion 66. The exterior portion 62 is configured to face away from thearea of the mammal to which it is adhered. The exterior portion 62 ofthe adhesive portion 58 may include one or more graphics and/or one ormore decorations. Furthermore, the exterior portion 62 may include aplacement stem that may allow the user to position the acupressuredevice 14 on a location on the mammal's body, and to remove theacupressure device. The interior portion 66 is configured to face thearea of the mammal to which it is adhered. Furthermore, the interiorportion 66 is further configured to adhere to the body of the mammal.The interior portion 66 may include any type of adhering substance (orstructure) allowing it to adhere to the body. For example, the interiorportion 66 may include an adhesive tape, an adhesive glue, a structuraladhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, any other adhering substance(or structure) that allows the acupressure device to adhere to the bodyof a mammal, or any combination of the preceding. In particularembodiments, the adhesive substance (or structure) may allow theadhesive portion 58 to be removed from one area of the mammal's body,and re-adhered to another area of the mammal's body.

The acupressure device 14 further includes one or more raised elements42 that may be configured to apply pressure to the one or more pressurepoints on the mammal (or at a location substantially positioned at oneor more pressure points on the mammal). A raised element 42 may beconfigured to apply pressure to any one or more pressure pointsdescribed above with regard to FIG. 1. For example, a raised element 42may be configured to apply pressure to the B2 pressure point of an adulthuman. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is positioned on theinterior portion 66 of the adhesive portion 62. As such, when theacupressure device 14 is worn by the mammal (or otherwise adhered to thebody of the mammal), the raised element 42 may apply pressure to apressure point on the mammal, such as, for example, the B2 pressurepoint. In particular embodiments, the raised element 42 may beconfigured to vibrate and/or resonate. For example, the raised element42 may include a vibration and/or resonation source that vibrates and/orresonates when an electrical current is provided to the source. Theraised element 42 may vibrate and/or resonate at any frequency.

The acupressure device 14 may include any number of raised elements 42,such as one, two, three, four, five, or any other number of raisedelements 42. A raised element 42 may be formed as a part of the materialof the adhesive portion 62, may be one or more inserts that may betemporarily attached to the adhesive portion 62, or may be fixedly(and/or permanently) attached to the adhesive portion 62. Asillustrated, the raised elements 42 are formed as a part of the materialof the adhesive portion 62. The raised element 42 may be formed (orotherwise be made) from any material. For example, the raised element 42may be rubber, latex, latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer (such as asynthetic polymer, a semi-synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer), aceramic, glass, metal, an aroma-permeable material, any other material,or any combination of the preceding. The raised element 42 may be formedfrom the same material as the adhesive portion 62, or from a differentmaterial. The raised element 42 may have any shape for applying pressureto a pressure point. For example, the raised element 42 may berectangular, pin-shaped, shaped-like a ridge in the clip portion 46,oval shaped, spherical shape, semi-spherical shape, any other shape, orany combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the raised element 42is oval shaped (or egg shaped). The raised element 42 may have any size.Example sizes of the raised element 42 are listed below.

As is discussed above with regard to FIG. 1, one or more therapeuticsubstances 18 (not shown in FIG. 3d ) may be coupled to acupressuredevice 14. The therapeutic substances 18 may include any one or moretherapeutic substances 18 discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As oneexample, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an essential oil derivedfrom a eucalyptus plant (e.g., an eucalyptus essential oil). Thetherapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to the acupressure device 14 inany manner discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As one example, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be infused into the acupressure device 14.The therapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to all or a portion of theacupressure device 14. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may becoupled to all (or a portion) of the exterior portion 62 of the adhesiveportion 58, all (or a portion) of the interior portion 66 of theadhesive portion 58, all or a portion of the raised element 42, or anycombination of the preceding.

As is discussed above, the adhesive portion 58 and/or the raised element42 of the acupressure device 14 may have any size. An example of suchsizes may include the following illustrated in FIG. 3 c:

N=Ø of 3.00 mm

O=Ø of 38.15 mm

P=16.50 mm

Q=0.70 mm

R=1.80 mm

S=16.00 mm

T=Ø of 16.00 mm

Although the adhesive portion 58 and the raised element 42 have beenillustrated as including particular sizes, the adhesive portion 58and/or raised element 42 (or any other acupressure device 14) may haveany other size.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the acupressuredevice 14 without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, although the acupressure device 14 is illustrated as a sticker(or patch), the acupressure device 14 may be any other acupressuredevice, as is discussed above with regard to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3e illustrates a further example of an acupressure device ofFIG. 1. As illustrated, the acupressure device 14 may be a head bandthat may be worn by a mammal (such as an adult human, a child human, adog, a cat, a horse, or any other mammal) on (or around) the mammal'shead.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the acupressure device 14includes a band 70. The band 70 is configured to encircle the head ofthe mammal (such as an adult human). In particular embodiments, the band70 may be further configured to be positioned so as to be in direct orindirect contact with the back of the neck of the mammal (in addition tobeing in contact with a portion of the head of the mammal). As such, theacupressure device 14 may apply pressure to one or more pressure pointsin the head of the mammal (such as, for example, TW23) and/or in theback of the neck of the mammal (such as, for example, GB20), inparticular embodiments. As illustrated, the band 70 is anadjustable-sized band 70. For example, the band 70 may have a first endthat is separated from a second end. In such an example, the first endmay have two or more holes that extend along the first end at differentlocations, and the second end may have a buckle or peg configured to fitinto one of the holes. As such, the user may adjust the length of theband 70 by selecting a particular hole to fit the buclde or peg into. Inparticular embodiments, adjusting the size of the band 70 may increaseor decrease the amount of pressure applied to one or more pressurepoints by the acupressure device 14. In particular embodiments, the band70 may be a continuous loop. In such an embodiment, the band 70 may be asingle size band that may be flexible so as to expand (at leastpartially) to fit various sized mammals. The band 70 may be formed (orotherwise be made) from any material. For example, the band 70 may berubber, latex, latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer (such as asynthetic polymer, a semi-synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer), aceramic, glass, metal, an aroma-permeable material, any other material,or any combination of the preceding. In particular embodiments, the band70 may be any material capable of absorbing, binding, or retaining (insome manner) an amount of therapeutic substance 18. In particularembodiments, the band 70 may be formed from two or more of theabove-listed materials. In particular embodiments, the band 70 may be athermoplastic vulcanite injected moldable latex-free rubber band. Theband 70 may have any size (e.g., length, width, thickness, etc.), andthe size may vary based on the mammal for which the band 70 is designed.For example, the size of the band 70 may be larger for an adult humanthan for a child human. As another example, the size of the band 70 maybe larger for a horse than for a dog. Example sizes of band 70 arelisted below.

The band 70 includes an exterior portion 74 and an interior portion 78.The exterior portion 74 is configured to face away from the head of themammal when the band 70 is worn by the mammal. The exterior portion 74of the band 70 may include one or more graphics and/or one or moredecorations. The interior portion 78 is configured to face towards thehead of the mammal when the band 70 is worn by the mammal.

The acupressure device 14 further includes one or more raised elements42 that may be configured to apply pressure to the one or more pressurepoints on the mammal (or at a location substantially positioned at oneor more pressure points on the mammal). A raised element 42 may beconfigured to apply pressure to any one or more pressure pointsdescribed above with regard to FIG. 1. For example, a raised element 42may be configured to apply pressure to the B2 pressure point of an adulthuman. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is positioned on theinterior portion 78 of the band 70. As such, when the acupressure device14 is worn by the mammal, the raised element 42 may apply pressure to apressure point on the mammal, such as, for example, the B2 pressurepoint. In particular embodiments, the raised element 42 may beconfigured to vibrate and/or resonate. For example, the raised element42 may include a vibration and/or resonation source that vibrates and/orresonates when an electrical current is provided to the source. Theraised element 42 may vibrate and/or resonate at any frequency.

The acupressure device 14 may include any number of raised elements 42,such as one, two, three, four, five, or any other number of raisedelements 42. A raised element 42 may be formed as a part of the materialof the band 70, may be one or more inserts that may be temporarilyattached to the band 70, or may be fixedly (and/or permanently) attachedto the band 70. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is an insert thatmay be temporarily attached to the band 70. For example, the band 70includes one or more holes that may receive and hold the raised element42. The band 70 may include any number of holes, such as one, two,three, four, five, or any other number of raised elements 42. Inparticular embodiments, the user may choose to insert one or more raisedelements 42 into one or more of the holes in band 70 so that the raisedelements 42 apply pressure to particular pressure points. For example,the user may choose to insert the raised elements 42 in a first set ofone or more holes in order to apply pressure to the B2 pressure pointsof the mammal, and/or to insert the raised elements 42 into a second setof one or more holes in order to apply pressure to the TW23 pressurepoints of the mammal.

The raised element 42 may be formed (or otherwise be made) from anymaterial. For example, the raised element 42 may be rubber, latex,latex-free rubber, plastic, a polymer (such as a synthetic polymer, asemi-synthetic polymer, or a natural polymer), a ceramic, glass, metal,an aroma-permeable material, any other material, or any combination ofthe preceding. The raised element 42 may be formed from the samematerial as the band 70, or from a different material. The raisedelement 42 may have any shape for applying pressure to a pressure point.For example, the raised element 42 may be rectangular, pin-shaped,shaped-like a ridge in the band 70, oval shaped, spherical shape,semi-spherical shape, any other shape, or any combination of thepreceding. As illustrated, the raised element 42 is oval shaped (or eggshaped). The raised element 42 may have any size. Example sizes of theraised element 42 are listed below.

As is discussed above with regard to FIG. 1, one or more therapeuticsubstances 18 (not shown in FIG. 3e ) may be coupled to acupressuredevice 14. The therapeutic substances 18 may include any one or moretherapeutic substances 18 discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As oneexample, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an essential oil derivedfrom an eucalyptus plant (e.g., an eucalyptus essential oil). Thetherapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to the acupressure device 14 inany manner discussed above with regard to FIG. 1. As one example, thetherapeutic substance 18 may be infused into the acupressure device 14.The therapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to all or a portion of theacupressure device 14. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may becoupled to all (or a portion) of the exterior portion 74 of the band 70,all (or a portion) of the interior portion 78 of the band 70, all or aportion of the raised element 42, or any combination of the preceding.

As is discussed above, the band 70 and/or the raised element 42 of theacupressure device 14 may have any size. An example of such sizes mayinclude the following illustrated in FIG. 3 e:

NN=25.00 mm

OO=12.50 mm

PP=5.00 mm

QQ=765.00 mm

RR=16.50 mm

SS=1.50 mm

TT=9.00 mm

Although the band 70 and the raised element 42 have been illustrated asincluding particular sizes, the band 70 and/or raised element 42 (or anyother acupressure device 14) may have any other size.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the acupressuredevice 14 without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, although the acupressure device 14 is illustrated as a headband, the acupressure device 14 may be any other acupressure device, asis discussed above with regard to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of providing a therapeuticsubstance and acupressure system. The steps of method 100 may beperformed by any one or more entities. For example, the steps of method100 may be performed by a manufacturer of an acupressure device, areseller (or modifier or enhancer) of an acupressure device, a customerthat purchases the acupressure device, any other entity, or anycombination of the preceding.

The method begins at step 104. At step 108, an acupressure device 14 isprovided. The acupressure device 14 may be any of the acupressuredevices 14 discussed above with regard to FIGS. 1 and 3. For example,the acupressure device 14 may be a wrist band configured to applypressure to a P6 pressure point of an adult human. The acupressuredevice 14 may be configured to provide pressure on any one or morepressure points of a mammal, as is also discussed above with regard toFIGS. 1 and 3. The acupressure device 14 may be provided in any manner.For example, the acupressure device 14 may be provided by manufacturing(or otherwise forming) the acupressure device 14. As another example,the acupressure device 14 may be provided by purchasing (or otherwiseobtaining) all or a portion of the acupressure device 14.

At step 112, a therapeutic substance 18 is coupled to the acupressuredevice 14. The therapeutic substance 18 may be any one or more of thetherapeutic substances 18 discussed above with regard to FIGS. 1 and 3.For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may be an essential oilderived from a peppermint plant (e.g., a peppermint essential oil). Thetherapeutic substance 18 may be coupled to the acupressure device 14 inany of the manners discussed above with regard to FIGS. 1 and 3. Forexample, the acupressure device 14 may be infused with the therapeuticsubstance 18. As other examples, the therapeutic substance 18 mayincorporated into the acupressure device 14 during the manufacturingprocess, topically applied to the acupressure device 14, provided as acoating on the acupressure device 14, sprayed onto the acupressuredevice 14, positioned within a container in the acupressure device 14,coupled to the acupressure device 14 in any other manner, or anycombination of the preceding. Additionally, coupling the therapeuticsubstance 18 to the acupressure device 14 may refer to coupling thetherapeutic substance 18 to all or a portion of the acupressure device14 (such as all or a portion of the band 30, exterior portion 34,interior portion 38, raised element 42, or any combination of thepreceding). Furthermore, any number of therapeutic substances 18 may becoupled to the acupressure device 14, such as one, two, three, four,five, ten, or any other number of therapeutic substances 18. After thetherapeutic substance 18 has been coupled to the acupressure device 14,the method 100 may move to step 116, where the method 100 ends.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 100.Additionally, the steps of method 100 may be performed in parallel or inany suitable order. For example, the therapeutic substance 18 may becoupled to the acupressure device 14 at the same time (or substantiallythe same time) as when the acupressure device 14 is provided, such aswhen the therapeutic substance 18 is coupled to the acupressure device14 during manufacturing and/or packaging of the acupressure device 14.

This specification has been written with reference to variousnon-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will berecognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that varioussubstitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosedembodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of thisspecification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that thisspecification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forth inthis specification. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, bycombining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps,components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations,and the like, of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodimentsdescribed in this specification. In this manner, Applicant reserves theright to amend the claims during prosecution to add features asvariously described in this specification, and such amendments complywith the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §§ 112(a) and 132(a).

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A combination acupressure and aromatherapy device,the device comprising: a band for encircling a portion of the body of amammal, the band sized so that the band is held in place by pressureexerted by the band on the body; a raised element located on theinterior side of the band so that, when the band is worn and positionedat a desired pressure point on the body of the wearer, the raisedelement extends toward the body to apply a constant pressure to thedesired pressure point; and an aromatic essential oil included in thematerial forming the band or contained within a reservoir associatedwith the band, wherein the aromatic essential oil emits an aroma forinhalation by the mammal to provide an aromatherapy effect.
 26. Thecombination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim 1 where thedevice is reusable and can be easily removed from the body of a wearerand then put back on at the same or a different location on the wearer'sbody.
 27. The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim1 where the device when worn forms a continuous loop around a portion ofthe wearer's body and is not held in place by an adhesive.
 28. Thecombination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim 1 wherein theband is formed from a material including an aromatic essential oil. 29.The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim 1 whereinthe band comprises a mixture including a polymer and an aromaticessential oil.
 30. The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy deviceof claim 1 where the device is configured to fit completely around thehead, neck, an arm, or a leg of a user.
 31. The combination acupressureand aromatherapy device of claim 1 where the band is formed from anatural or synthetic polymer.
 32. The combination acupressure andaromatherapy device of claim 1 wherein the band is formed from amaterial comprising a thermoplastic vulcanite injected moldablelatex-free rubber.
 33. The combination acupressure and aromatherapydevice of claim 1 wherein the band for encircling a portion of the bodyof a mammal is a wrist band for encircling the wrist of a human.
 34. Thecombination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim 33 wherein theraised element is configured to apply constant pressure to the P6pressure point when positioned on the wrist of the wearer.
 35. Thecombination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim 1 wherein thedesired pressure point is selected from a group consisting of P6, LI4,L8, H7, PC2-PC9, TH1-TH14, LU3-LU11, TW5, LI11, LI2, LI3, LI7, LI14,L14, LI5, LI8, LI10, LI12, LI13, P3, P7, HT7, and LI1.
 36. Thecombination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim 1 where thepressure exerted by the band on the body of the wearer can be adjustedto increase or decrease the constant pressure applied by the raisedelement to a pressure point.
 37. The combination acupressure andaromatherapy device of claim 2 where the pressure exerted by the band onthe body of the wearer is adjusted by tightening or loosening the bandusing an adjustable fastener.
 38. A combination acupressure andaromatherapy device, the device comprising: a flexible band, having aninside and an outside, for encircling a portion of the body of a mammalwith the inside toward the body and configured to be wearable, so thatwhen the band is in place encircling the desired portion of the body theband will remain in place; a raised element located on the inside of theband so that the band can be positioned over a desired pressure point onthe body of the wearer with the raised element extending toward the bodyto apply a constant pressure to the desired pressure point; and atherapeutic substance coupled to the band, the therapeutic substancecomprising a substance configured to provide one or more beneficialeffects on the body and/or mind of the wearer when delivered to the bodyof the wearer through inhalation or transdermal delivery.
 39. Thecombination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim 38 wherein thetherapeutic substance comprises an essential oil that emits an aroma forinhalation by the wearer to provide an aromatherapy effect.
 40. Thecombination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim 38 in whichthe band is formed from a first material and in which the therapeuticsubstance coupled to the band comprises a therapeutic substance infusedinto the first material.
 41. The combination acupressure andaromatherapy device of claim 38 in which the therapeutic substancecoupled to the band comprises a therapeutic substance contained within areservoir attached to the band.
 42. The combination acupres sure andaromatherapy device of claim 38 where the device when worn forms acontinuous loop around a portion of the wearer's body and is not held inplace by an adhesive.
 43. The combination acupressure and aromatherapydevice of claim 38 where the device is sized to fit around the desiredportion of the body so that the band is held in place by friction whenworn.